What is Date Night?

Date night is something Arica and I planned while Braden was still cooking. We enjoy a close relationship and relish the opportunity to spend time together. We knew a baby would make it difficult to focus on our relationship on most days. For this reason we wanted to plan a day every week just for us. This way we could stay connected as a loving couple rather than becoming only partners in child raising much like Smith and Wesson were partners in gun making.

I know many people follow this same type of plan. If you are a couple that does not practice a regular date night then I highly recommend it. It works wonders for stress reduction and happiness production.

Tuesday night is our regular date night. Sometimes we do the traditional dinner and a movie. Many nights we just stay home and cook a nice meal for each other. I like to cook theme meals for Italian or Japanese nights. Not long ago we had a Caribbean night complete with Rum punch. Other nights Arica will cook some of my home cooked favorites. We may go shopping. We may on that rare occasion even head out of town to Little Rock for the evening. The only thing that is important is that we spend our time focused on each other.

Of course you need someone to watch the kids for this night to be successful. Arica and I are lucky to have her Mom living nearby. She takes Braden on Tuesdays for us. Without her date night would not be possible.

We need date night because life as a parent is sometimes so difficult that your inner parent will destroy and eat your inner husband or wife. Obviously you cannot kill the inner parent. You need him. So the only way to keep a balance is to strengthen your inner spouse so he can live alongside the inner parent. Romantic dinners, flowers, movies, walks in the park, live music, or anything else you and your partner enjoy is a great way to strengthen your inner spouse. Romantic outings are to the inner spouse what spinach is to Popeye.

My inner spouse loves spinach, and I love date night. It gives Arica and I a needed break from the stress of full time parenting. It also allows us to remain strong in our relationship so that we can provide a happy home for Braden. I think that is one of our most important responsibilities as parents.

I encourage you to set a day this week and spend some quality alone time with your significant other. By doing so you are saving your inner husband or wife. If you don't care for that relationship then it can die. So don't wait until it's too late.